This beetroot lasagna is a colorful vegetarian twist on the classic, made with thin layers of roasted beetroot, creamy béchamel and delicious goat cheese. It takes a little time to roast the beets, but the flavor payoff is worth it and you can always use ready-cooked beetroot if you need a shortcut.
Preheat the oven to 225˚C/450˚F. Wash the beetroot under a tap, dry and wrap each in tin foil. Roast in an ovenproof dish for about 45-60 minutes. Prick a beet with the tip of a knife to check if it is cooked. Remove from the oven and leave to cool. Slowly fry the onions in the olive oil in a frying pan until soft and translucent.
8 beetroot, 3 tbsp olive oil, 3 onions
Reduce the oven temperature to 180˚C/350˚F. Melt the butter in a saucepan, add the flour and stir until a roux forms. Leave to cook for a while, then add the whipping cream, stirring a little at a time. Leave to thicken and season with salt, pepper and nutmeg.
60 grams butter, 60 grams flour, 500 ml heavy cream, Salt and pepper to taste, Pinch nutmeg
Once the beetroot has cooled, slice thinly and arrange the lasagna in a small casserole dish. Start with a layer of beetroot, then a scoop of onion, then a dash of sauce. Keep adding layers until everything is ready and the dish is full.
Sprinkle the lasagna with chopped rosemary and thyme, then top with chunks of goat's cheese and Parmesan cheese. Bake the beetroot lasagne for 30 minutes and serve with a handful of rucola and fresh chives.